After the Vicious Fat Daughter-in-Law’s Redemption, She Thrives While Others Flee the Famine

Bai Qianqian, a modern pastry chef, awakens inside the body of a woman who has just died from a high fever in ancient China. The original host, Bai Qianqian, was the second daughter-in-law of the Zhao family, known for her laziness, stinginess, and cruel treatment of her five-year-old stepson, Zhao Anyao. Upon regaining consciousness, she finds herself being carried in a straw mat to her own ghost marriage, a forbidden practice arranged by her malicious mother-in-law, Old Madam Zhao, to bind her to her deceased second son. The porters and the matchmaker are terrified when her eyes open, causing chaos in the Zhao household. Realizing she has survived, she confronts the family, exposing their plot and demanding justice. The villagers, aware of the original host's terrible reputation, watch with skepticism as Bai Qianqian turns the tables on her abusers.

Bai Qianqian leverages the illegality of ghost marriages and the threat of ruining her father-in-law’s third son, a promising scholar, to force a settlement. She demands the return of her dowry, ten taels of silver in compensation, and separate living quarters from the rest of the Zhao family. Old Master Zhao, fearing for his son’s imperial examination career, reluctantly agrees to her terms. Once separated, Bai Qianqian begins to rebuild her life. She discovers the squalid conditions in which her stepson has been living, forced to sleep near the pigsty and starve while his cousin is pampered. Her initial revulsion at the original host’s cruelty transforms into a protective resolve. She cleans the boy, feeds him proper meals, and asserts her authority over the household labor, refusing to let him be exploited by the rest of the family.

With limited resources, Bai Qianqian decides to use her professional skills as a pastry chef to earn money. She bakes brown sugar jujube cakes and sells them in the local town market. Her initial attempts face challenges due to her poor reputation in the village; neighbors refuse to hire her for home repairs or labor, assuming she will cheat them. However, she proves her reliability by paying fair wages upfront for roof repairs and tailoring services, slowly beginning to shift public perception. She also encounters a local magistrate, Qin Heng, during a dispute with a vendor who falsely claims her cakes made her grandson ill. Bai Qianqian handles the confrontation with wit and firmness, refusing to be bullied and nearly dragging the accuser to the magistrate’s office, an encounter that leaves a brief impression on the stern official.

The conflict with the Zhao family intensifies when Zhao Chengshuang, the youngest daughter, falsely accuses Bai Qianqian of kidnapping and selling Zhao Anyao to extort more money. The accusation draws the attention of clan elders, who prepare to intervene. Bai Qianqian returns with the boy, safe and wearing new clothes she bought for him, exposing the lie. She forces the family to provide compensation in the form of shoes for the boy, further humiliating them in front of the community. Despite these victories, Bai Qianqian remains acutely aware of her precarious position. Her body is weak and overweight, making physical labor difficult. She spends her earnings on food, firewood, and winter supplies, preparing for the harsh season ahead. The story follows her determination to survive independently, protect the child she has come to care for, and navigate the treacherous social dynamics of a village that despises her, all while hiding her true identity and modern knowledge.